Vouchers 4 Veggies - EatSF

Hello, my name is Abdo Nasser. I've owned a market on Treasure Island since 2008 known as today "Island Cove Market". I would like to share my experience with Voucher 4 Veggies - Eat SF. I became a vendor participant on February 2022. Based on my personal view, the program provide direct benefit to families and individuals in need, and as a business owner, I've observed families and individuals buying home consumption product such as meat, dairy products, juices, stable food items, fruits and vegetables. When approaching the checkout stand, you can see the happiness and excitement in their faces. the program is truly making a defiance in every participant life.

Working with EATSF has been an amazing experience. In the past two years, they have provided thousands of dollars of vouchers for Family Connections Centers and have alleviated a lot of food insecurity for our community in the Portola and Excelsior Neighborhoods. I appreciate that EATSF has made the process of distributing these vouchers an easy one. They provide a comprehensive, easy-to-read map of locations in multiple languages for the communities is one example. They also take our feedback and suggestions seriously and apply them to future processes. As an example, they were able to expand the locations where the vouchers are accepted, and this has greatly impacted our communities' access to fresh, culturally appropriate produce and pantry items. Having these vouchers while serving our community has made the impact of our continued work more well-rounded.

The Vouchers for Veggies is a great program. I am the Site Director at El Concilio CA (Stanislaus County) and we partnered with V4V to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income families in the central valley of California. The additional infusion of the V4V funds helped our families to not only stretch their food budget but gave them access to fresh and healthy ingredients to prepare more nutritious meals for themselves and their families. Many of our families shared that the V4V program helped them through tough times and kept food on their tables when other income had been reduced.
The application process was fairly easy and working with the V4V team facilitated a supportive experience. If we had questions they were always there to support us through any process. We hope to continue working with the Vouchers for Veggies Program in the future and increase the number of community members that we can assist.

Vouchers 4 Veggies in San Francisco is truly a game-changer in the world of food access and community empowerment! Their commitment to promoting healthy eating and addressing food insecurity is nothing short of inspiring.

What makes Vouchers 4 Veggies stand out is their innovative approach to tackling the issue of access to fresh, nutritious food. Through their voucher program, they're not just giving out coupons; they're giving individuals and families the means to make healthier choices. This not only improves the quality of their diet but also fosters a sense of dignity and agency in making those choices.

In addition, Vouchers 4 Veggies has been a stellar partner and leader in a new food sovereignty coalition called FAACTS (Food and Agriculture Action Coalition Toward Sovereignty). By working collaboratively with local organizations and community members, they are creating a network of change-makers who are passionate about ensuring everyone has access to fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.

Vouchers 4 Veggies embodies the spirit of compassionate community service and is paving the way for a brighter, healthier future in San Francisco. Their commitment to tackling food insecurity and promoting food sovereignty is not only commendable but also essential for building a more equitable and sustainable food system.

Working with EATSF and the vouchers 4 veggies has been an amazing experience. The past two years they have provided thousands of dollars of vouchers for Booker T Washington Community Service Center and have alleviated a lot of food insecurity for our community in the western Addition. I appreciate that EATSF has made the process of distributing these vouchers an easy one. They provide a comprehensive, easy to read map of locations in multiple languages for the communities is one example. They also take our feedback and suggestions seriously and applied it to future processes. As an example, they were able to expand the locations where the vouchers are accepted and this has greatly impacted our communities access to fresh, culturally appropriate produce and pantry items. We have a lot of older adults that utilize these vouchers so being able to easily find locations near them has also made these vouchers even more invaluable. Having these vouchers while serving our community has made the impact of our continued work more well rounded.

I work in a non-profit in the Mission District and our partnership with Vouchers 4 Veggies- EatSF has been of great help to our community, especially for those new arrived immigrants that lack of all type of services, but cannot qualify for most of them. Families on shelter were greatly benefited because they could use the vouchers to purchase hot food, and supplement it with nutritious food for their children. Thanks.

As the Youth Programs Manager of the Treasure Island YMCA, I’m confident enough to say that the T.I Community is beyond grateful for the Food 4 Veggies program. Not only has the community expressed how the Food 4 Veggies is a lifesaver and invaluable, but it has also given the community a sense of comfort and hope. The benefits the voucher program has provided the community has been nothing short but a game changer. I am appreciative of the Food 4 Veggies program for making this incredibly accessible and inclusive to all. We hope to keep this partnership thriving just as much as the community has with this resource. This has been one of the best and most impactful partnerships we have had. Thank you for everything you have done for the community.

I have been a student intern at EatSF for a few months now and have had an incredibly positive experience. It has been really amazing to be part of an organization so dedicated to championing food security by working very closely and engaging with numerous community organizations, partners, and vendors.

The vouchers that EatSF distributes really helps those in the San Francisco facing food insecurity and has been lifeline for many people, especially since many pandemic-era benefits and resources have been cut. EatSF makes a real difference in the lives of their participants, allowing for them to purchase both culturally appropriate and healthy food.

HI,
I am the assistant director of the Treasure Island Community YMCA. I have been a part of this community for 6 years. Having this program veggie for vouchers has helped so many families in need. With the price of food continuing to inflate most of our residents are finding it hard to have food for their entire families. We have residents calling constantly asking for assistance and when the program is coming back. So many people have shared their stories, tears, and gratitude for veggie vouchers' help. We have seen people line up hours early outside to ensure they can receive the vouchers, and sometimes the weather is not the greatest. We as a team here at the YMCA are only here to ensure we can provide the much-needed services to serve our community. We serve with intention and love. Being able to partner with Veggie for vouchers has been one of the most impactful partnerships since I have been working here. Thank you for everything!

Voucher 4 Veggie has been an incredible organization that has truly made a significant impact on our community. The Voucher 4 Veggies food voucher program has been an invaluable resource for the Treasure Island community, and its benefits have been felt far and wide. The partnership with Voucher 4 Veggies has been a beacon of hope and support for our community members facing food insecurity. The provision of food vouchers has not only alleviated the immediate hunger of many families but has also brought a sense of relief during challenging times.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this program is its inclusivity and accessibility. It reaches a wide range of individuals and families, ensuring that no one is left behind. It has bridged gaps in our community, creating a sense of unity and solidarity as we come together to support one another.
The impact of the Voucher 4 Veggies program extends beyond just providing food. It has had a positive ripple effect on the overall well-being of our community. Families who were once struggling to put food on the table now have a bit more stability in their lives.

In addition to all of the above, the program's efficiency and organization have been outstanding. The ease with which our community members can access these vouchers and redeem them at local stores has been a testament to the thoughtful planning and execution of the program by Voucher 4 Veggies. Our partnership with Voucher 4 Veggies and their food voucher program has been an incredible blessing for our community. We are immensely grateful for this partnership and the positive impact it continues to have on the lives of those we serve. Thank you, Voucher 4 Veggies, for your unwavering commitment to our community's well-being.

EatSF has to be one of the most innovative and necessary nonprofits to date. The work it does--providing low income people a source of fresh fruits and vegetables, changes the lives of its participants. It also changes the lives of its employees. I had the opportunity to be a summer intern for EatSF this summer and couldn't help but feel awe at the efficiency and positivity of the workforce. The communal spirit and positivity of the organization is infectious. Behind the immaculate professionalism and impressive education of the team is a group of people who are determined to improve the lives of communities across the country. Overall, I couldn't imagine a more benign, efficient, and caring nonprofit.

I had the opportunity to work with the Vouchers 4 Veggies team for a few months earlier this year. Everyone is super passionate about the work they do and were always there to help when I had questions. I helped out with the collaboration Eat SF has with WIC to give fruit and veggie vouchers to pregnant people. Those who participated were given vouchers to support them through the nine months of their pregnancy. I believe that Eat SF is an amazing program that has given so many low-income people the resources to fresh and healthy food that they deserve. They also created a program where they were able to give food vouchers to hundreds disproportionately impacted by COVID. The team is very attentive to every participant, making sure they all get their vouchers and answering any questions/concerns. This program is helping so many members of our community dealing with food insecurity and Im happy I was able to contribute to this cause and witness all the great work they are doing for various communities!

Being an intern for EatSF has allowed me to see first hand how impactful Vouchers4Veggies has been. The program has been directly helping low income families in our community by ensuring their financial burdens have decreased while alleviating their food insecurity stressors. These vouchers allow families the freedom to purchase fruits and vegetables that would fit their desired diet while assuring their purchases are whole foods to better their health and reduce diseases that can stem from poor diet. Vouchers4Veggies has also been purposeful by teaching families how to budget for groceries and get in the habit of purchasing fruits and vegetables weekly. These skills are important to adopt to ensure a healthier future to reduce the costs of possible medical debt for an underserved population. This program may seem as a straightforward process, but the outcomes it has on our community for both their short and long-term impact has been so impressive and makes me proud to be a part of their amazing and caring team!

The Vouchers 4 Veggies team is a delight to work with. I have had the good fortune of collaborating with them as we worked to develop and implement a fruit/vegetable voucher program in rural Virginia. From our initial interactions to our discussions of the minutiae of the program, all team members have been thoughtful, flexible, proactive and generally easy to work with. They've been open to making modifications tailored to the community in which we are working, and they've been incredibly helpful in developing all the back-end systems needed to support greater access to fruits and vegetables for program participants. Their passion for supporting the health and well-being of individuals and families comes through in everything that they do, and the broader produce rx community is lucky to have their leadership and collaboration on both local and national efforts.

Hi, I am a Supervisor for Resident Services for Tenderloin communities and Arab Families Program at Chinatown Community Development Center. Our residents or our community members at Tenderloin and SOMA areas faced a hard time during the Pandemic that their needs especially for Halal Food were NOT met by any of the providers. Eat-SF listens to the community need, reach far and beyond and provide us with vouchers, which helped the community in a very critical time. Families really appreciated these vouchers and kept asking about them every month ! Usually, low-income families in Tenderloin/SOMA consist of very hard-working parents, grandparents, extended families, and a lot of children. Buying their own food and choose what they want to eat with the vouchers was a peace of mind for them, and appreciated in a very critical time. THANK YOU SO MUCH Eat-ST team.

I had the opportunity to intern for Eat SF Vouchers 4 Veggies and was super excited to be a part of such an awesome and dedicated team! While working closely with my peers and preceptors, the program provided a platform to extend a helping hand to communities and families within the Bay Area. Working with V4V has made me realize how impactful such a program has changed many of the lives here. In the midst of the pandemic, I'm super grateful that many of our communities are able to have this program accessible to them. In addition to that, the V4V team is always coming up with advancements to touch a bigger scale of people.
All in all, this is one of the greatest opportunities I have pursued and I am more than appreciative to have the chance to give back to my community!

Many of our Residents were so grateful to receive EatSF's Vouchers 4 Veggies. They were able to accommodate our seniors in different ways including providing literature in languages including English, Chinese (simplified) and Russian. Overall, there was a really good turnout for those who participated.

The families here in Bayview Hunters Point are so grateful to have Emergency food vouchers from the Vouchers4Veggies program. They provided access to healthy fruits, vegetables and other staples for our resident that have been in hardship during the pandemic. EatSF were able to help support 200 hundred individuals and family with months of vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. When so many families are struggling to put food on the table to make ends meet the voucher program really help. With the vouchers, our residents were able to get any food item at their neighborhood market that was associated with the voucher program. We at Related value our residents’ health and with EatSF vouchers4veggies program, we will continue to work with their great team of workers and volunteers keeping families healthy in Bayview Hunters Point.
From our families and Related we humbly thank EatSF!!

I started interning with Vouchers 4 Veggies Eat SF in March earlier this year and still continue to now because it's such an incredible organization! The EatSF team's dedication to addressing and reducing food insecurity for low-income pregnant women living in San Francisco has been inspirational and has also added to my eagerness in working in the Public Health field. I love how productive and responsive the team has been at reaching out and back to the community. They're already positively changing the lives of many and I know they will continue to impact more people as they scale.

I was an intern with the Vouchers for Veggies and EatSF team in early 2021 and I loved working for this amazing organization.

The EatSF team is dedicated to reaching members of the community to help increase food security and they work incredibly hard to make a difference.
The program is able to help so many people get access to nutritional foods in their area, and they’re working to improve health outcomes for the community.

I was able to communicate with participants that were so thankful to have this help and looked forward to receiving their vouchers. My work during my internship was valued and I felt like I worked for an organization that genuinely cared!

I worked as an intern in Summer 2021 with Vouchers 4 Veggies Eat SF. Their team was incredibly friendly and receptive to my feedback. They also gave me the opportunity to work on projects that I felt were interesting and pushed me to grow. Working as an intern at EatSF is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to work on a collection of different projects (from policy to data analysis) to address food insecurity.

Additionally, as a part of the team, I saw how dedicated the team is to improving the program so that they can better serve communities in San Francisco. It was my pleasure to be a part of this team for a few months! I look forward to seeing the organization continue to grow and serve more people, especially since the need for fruit and vegetable access and affordability has only grown with the pandemic.

I was an intern with this nonprofit and they are doing such great work to help improve the health of low-income individuals, pregnant people, and many others. Making sure that participants are having an excellent experience with the program is V4V's #1 priority and everyone on staff works tirelessly to constantly adapt and improve every aspect of the program to fit the current needs of the community. Something that stands out about V4V is that everyone genuinely cares... and it shows! I'm excited to see V4V grow and impact even more lives in the future.

Vouchers 4 Veggies offered me a wonderful learning opportunity to assist with their work in the program while I completed my degree! The individuals within the organization are passionate about their work and are making a real difference throughout the city of San Francisco.

As the organization continues to grow, it has been amazing to witness the team navigate monumental challenges and promote public health during the extraordinary times of 2020. I can only hope that the organization is able to further expand and offer their highly valuable resources to other community members in need!

Voucher 4 Veggies provided a critical support to San Francisco families who lost income due to the COVID shelter in place order. Their vouchers allowed families to “buy” food at accessible grocers in neighborhood and large grocery chain stores. Families found the resource extremely valuable. Our effort distributed vouchers through 16 non-profit partners. Staff at Voucher 4 Veggies provided easy to follow guidance for voucher use and created voucher packets that ensured seamless voucher distribution through partner sites. Special thanks to Vouchers 4 Veggies to adapting their program to include purchase of staples and hot food – critical to addressing the whole food needs of families. The vouchers were a novel support for many partners and demand for them was high and enticed new families to engage at partner sites. Staff were able to deliver vouchers to our office and were flexible given the demands to comply with social distancing. Thank you Voucher 4 Veggies team!

We are so grateful to have Vouchers4Veggies as a partner in providing access to healthy fruits and vegetables to our refugee patients in San Francisco. We were able to help support individuals and family with months of vouchers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many families were struggling to make ends meet.
Our patients were able to get fruits and veggies at their neighborhood market that is culturally appropriate and healthy!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I am a pediatrician at San Francisco General Hospital and have been able to access the Vouchers 4 Veggies program for my patients and their families. The program has been an amazing support for healthy eating for my patients. The support has been particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many of our patients and families are experiencing food insecurity. I look forward to continuing to partner with EatSF and to access their incredible services for the vulnerable children and families that I serve in my clinic.

This program has provided our clients with access to fresh fruits and vegetables in such a unique way! Clients are now more interested in eating healthy foods. They are so excited to try new items.

As a dietitian at a community health center, I see a lot of patients with chronic conditions who face many psychosocial barriers including food insecurity. Partnering with EatSF Vouchers4Veggies over the last year has been one of the best parts of my job because not only has this program helped our patients access healthy food, it has also aided in improving health and clinical outcomes (e.g. lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and BMI).

The vouchers are simple and easy to use and patients look forward to picking them or getting them in the mail every month. I have patients tell me they've not only increased their intake of fruits and vegetables, but their family's as well. I believe the impact of this program will have a long lasting effect on participants' healthy lifestyle changes.

We partnered with EatSF and the Alemany Farmers' Market in San Francisco. As California's oldest farmers market and one of the largest markets in SF, the market offers high quality fresh local produce at unbeatable prices. It was a huge success being able to open the market to those clients wanting to redeem their Vouchers 4 Veggies. The program took off immediately. The partnership is a double win with clients being able to access local, fresh local produce, and local farmers benefit from the additional sales. The administration side has been very smooth and uncomplicated, we are very pleased with the partnership and what is has provided to this high need community.

EatSF is a great opportunity to join and help spread awareness of healthier eating habits. I joined the organization about three months ago. I have helped so many expecting mothers with receiving more resources in their daily lives.

The vouchers 4 veggies are the best thing to happen to the Bayveiw Hunter Point Community our residents love having them available. Their nutrition value help teaches a better healthier way of eating, also for low-income residents it adds a little extra help to their budget each month.
Thank You for making lives healthier !
Resident Services at All Hallows Gardens Apartments

I'm a nurse at the general hospital and work with Vouchers 4 Veggies to help our patients with diabetes. What I love about the program is that it allows me to help all of the patients that come to our clinic. The application process is quick easy and the staff have been very supportive, flexible, and responsive to our patients' needs.

Vouchers for Veggies is great. I work to bring healthy food into the Tenderloin neighborhood and my work would be very difficult to do without the job that Vouchers for Veggies does. Vouchers For Veggies provides Tenderloin residents with the funds they need to purchase the healthy food. Without these vouchers it is likely that residents here in the Tenderloin wouldn't be eating so much healthy food. The work they do is truly a service to the community.

As Social Workers in Supportive Housing, we have partnered with The EatSF (Vouchers 4 Veggies) Program and it has had a positive impact on the tenants we serve. The fruit and vegetable vouchers enable folks to purchase healthy food at local stores within the neighborhood. Every month, tenants express their gratitude for the program and talk about how helpful it is for their food budgets. One tenant highlighted that he can buy fresh blueberries and avocados each month, which he otherwise could likely not afford. The staff at EatSF are passionate about their work and are supportive and responsive in making sure the program runs smoothly. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with them and offer this great program to the tenants who live here.

When we introduced Eat SF program to our community, our senior residents showed great interest that they constantly came to our office to ask the enrollment date! It turned out that not all of the interested residents got it due to the unexpected popularity of the program. Those who got it for the first six months were thrilled to receive the vouchers and they shared that the experience of using the voucher for the first time as pleasant.

We are so fortunate to have the EatSF program available to residents living in our housing. Residents are now able to add a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to their diets, something that previously their fixed- income budgets really didn't allow. Local markets have expanded their fresh fruit/vegetable offerings, which helps our residents to have easier access to more healthful food selections. EatSF program staff offer great support to our Services staff who coordinate paperwork and voucher distribution. We feel so lucky that we were invited to participate with this wonderful resource.

I am currently a EatSF Intern and have loved working on this program for the last 6 months. EatSF is an intentional, client-centered program that not only has strong impacts on participants but also the surrounding community of San Francisco. The vouchers help lift some of the financial burden individuals and families have to purchasing the fresh fruits and vegetables they need for their health and contribute to the economic growth of the local community.

While working, I have loved hearing the stories and enthusiasm participants, vendors, and site staff have about the program. EatSF’s strong focus on equity, food justice, and access, and it’s partnerships with various community-based organizations make EatSF truly successful.

Personally, it has been very valuable working on a program that directly serves San Francisco’s most vulnerable and aids in their overall health and wellbeing.

I am currently a Fall 2019 Intern for the EatSF Program at Zuckerberg General. EatSF is a prime example of how city programs can improve the well-being of its community members. With the vouchers, participants are now encouraged to purchase fresh fruits and veggies without the extreme financial burden it can cause. I am glad I could be a part of EatSF's fight against food insecurity and thankful for the opportunity to leave an impact on the community I was raised in.

I am currently a Fall 2019 intern working with EatSF. I am elated to be on board. This program connects parents, children, and families with the fruits and vegetables they need. Families share that they are thankful to have these nutritious foods in their home that they otherwise would not have picked up. I also find it lovely that a significant portion of families use their vouchers at the Heart of the City Farmer's Market. There is currently a solid base of participating food stores around the city, thanks to the dedication of this organization. The members of the EatSF team, and the various WIC clinics that we are connected with, have helped make my time here engaging, welcoming and productive. I am full of experience and knowledge I will carry with me as I continue work within the world of public health in SF. Wonderful program.

Patients who receive the Vouchers 4 Veggies, love the program. They are engaging in their medical care and can also attest to the benefits of the program. They find that they are able to use the vouchers for fruits and vegetables that they would have limited. This in return is helping them invest in their health and well being. Patients mentioned how they didn't realize how spending the $20 or $40 per month could impact them, but with these vouchers they could see the difference. With the increasing cost of rent and food, patients who are on fixed incomes can feel the difference of the $20 or $40. Patients are so grateful for this program and only speak highly of it.

Our farmers market nonprofit has partnered with EatSF for two seasons. In addition to providing vulnerable community members with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, local farmers also benefit from the vouchers. It's been wonderful to see these vouchers exchanged for big bags of fresh produce! I am so grateful for EatSF's work and am excited to see their programs and client base expand in the future.

I've been working at EatSF as an intern since May of this year. It has been a pleasure to serve San Francisco's most vulnerable populations in this role; what better way to help people obtain the fruits and vegetables that they need than by giving them the funds to do it? EatSF does this, and in doing so also provides folks with the food security that many of us often take for granted.

Vouchers 4 Veggies was introduced this year to our residence that struggle to purchase fruits and vegetables our residence are on a tight budget. 92 Residence received 6 months of vouchers making a big impact on there eating habits. Thank you the program made a life changing impact.

Vouchers 4 Veggies - EatSF has proved to be a very responsive and engaged program helping to augment and enrich the lives of its participants! I have been working with the EatSF staff since 2017 and together we have connected three senior properties in the Westlake/MacArthur Park area of Los Angeles. I have seen that the V4V program benefits our tenants in various ways, including the obvious financial assistance that is brought to genuinely low-income seniors who struggle with leading a decent quality of life due to financial, physical, language, and other types of barriers.

The program helps incentivize its clients to explore their local participating neighborhood markets for new forms of produce and nutrients which will help improve their overall diets and health! Markets benefit economically by an increased amount of produce sales and/or by gaining new shoppers to their stores!

It has been a pleasure working with everyone (specific names withheld) and I hope that the V4V program continues to expand and that our non-profit has future opportunities to engage additional low-income seniors throughout Los Angeles in the Vouchers 4 Veggies program!

I love that Mission Housing has the opportunity to build a relationship and are privileged to distribute the EatSF Vouchers to our residents. Our residents are so appreciative that they can participate in such a wonderful program. This opportunity really has brought our diverse community together. I love seeing the smiling faces at the beginning of each month when our residents pick up their EatSF vouchers. I like the fact that we are able to connect and have the chance to hear their needs each month. The distribution system has evolved and it has been made effortless to receive and distribute the vouchers. This is an excellent program and Mission Housing hopes that it continues for years to come. Thank you EatSF staff and community members!

I am an intern with the EatSF team and cannot say enough about how incredible the EatSF team and program is. The EatSF team cares deeply about improving the lives of vulnerable residents in San Francisco and LA and it shows in their commitment to ensuring the program best serves the needs of those communities. The team is consistently monitoring and looking to improve/expand the program, strengthening relationships with partners, and identifying groups that are most in need of access to fruits and vegetables. The EatSF program has also achieved incredible outcomes in its first 3 years of program implementation -- the program has infused $1.3 million dollars in produce purchases into low-income neighborhoods and has increased participant fruit and vegetable intake by one daily serving. In addition, participants consistently praise the program and its impact on their ability to purchase more healthy foods and improve their health. As an intern, I have had the opportunity to see how this program benefits not only individual participants, but also distribution site staff, vendors, and entire communities. EatSF truly embodies a GREAT non-profit.

I am the resident service coordinator for a low-income senior and disabled supportive housing site in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.
It can not be overstated how helpful this program has been for the tenants here. The program enables them to access healthy nutrition options in the neighborhood that might otherwise be cost prohibitive. One of the favorite options to exchange the vouchers is the wonderful Heart of the City Farmers Market in the Civic Center plaza, about three minutes walk from the building.
The clients response to this program far exceeded expectations. The appreciation and enthusiasm for the program is heartwarming and has helped me as a staff member build a rapport w/ tenants that might otherwise not engage w/ tenant services.
Further, the paperwork involved is quite manageable.

Hello! I work for the City and County of San Francisco, one of the permanent supportive housing sites, specifically for seniors, 55 years old and older. the program is housed in a single room occupancy (SRO) hotel, with 85 units, with only cooking access of microwaves, crock pots, and rice cookers. Like many residents in SRO's who are on fixed and very low incomes, obtaining fresh fruits and vegetables is often a choice not to get, since the amount of food verses the cost, usually folks will opt for more filling foods. Having EatSF as a partner to provide the means for residents to obtain those fresh fruits and vegetables, has been a wonderful resource. With half of the residents in the building participating, it's wonderful to be able to bring better nutrition and for many folks, the treat of being about to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables, without taking a hit in the pocket book. The EatSF staff have made it a simple process and have been super supportive, which is greatly appreciated. Such a wonderful service, that makes a huge difference to those living with low income, and often challenging access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Thank you EatSF!!

My building houses low income seniors and formerly chronically homeless seniors, and the EatSF program has been a wonderful addition to our community. My residents are able to buy things that they previously considered a luxury, like berries, at our local markets. The Farmer's Market is where the majority of the vouchers are spent, and my residents are so grateful to have the extra money each month so they can eat healthy and delicious produce. On my end, the staff at EatSF has always been really responsive and great to work with. Thank you, everyone!

I am a resident service coordinator at Mission Housing who helps distribute these vouchers. This program has helped a lot of the residents. Residents who don't usually participate in programs, will come out for this program and have told us that they enjoyed this program a lot. There are so many different stores that will accept these vouchers which will definitely expand in the upcoming years. They have also improved their distribution method as well to make it easier for participants and partners. I'm glad a program like this exists because we can see the direct impact right away.

Very Great Program, my tenants love it! They can use it all around SOMA

I am a property manager in San Francisco, this program helps our tenants a lot. They all love it. This program is bringing them lots of benefits, such as healthier body, tenants gathering, and so on. This is one of the best programs I have met in the bay area.

EATSF program has been a blessing to so many seniors at Dr. George Davis Senior Services. So many of our seniors in the Bayview area have a hard time making their food last to the end of the month. This program has filled some of that void but more importantly has given the seniors an opportunity to consume healthy foods in replacement of poor nutritional foods. The seniors look forward to fresh produce options each month. Thank you EATSF

I wanted to share two client stories that speak to the effectiveness and support your program has offered to date:

I was attending a group session last week to distribute the additional vouchers you’re offering during May and June and witnessed a participant bring in organic strawberries he had just purchased across the street at the UN plaza farmer’s market. He had used one of his vouchers to make the purchase and was able to buy enough to share the strawberries with fellow participants in the group. He spoke about how easy it was to use the vouchers and that it gave him a good feeling to be able to purchase and share a healthy alternative to others in need. It also encouraged two more eligible clients to sign up for the program on the spot.

The second story involves a Spanish speaking only client who supports 3 other family members. While assisting him in filling out the pre-program survey with the support of an interpreter, I learned how he used his food stamps that equaled about two weeks’ worth of food for him and his family and how he stretched that two weeks into 3-3 1/2 weeks’ worth of food. The addition of the supplemental EatSF program is allowing him to provide for himself and his family for the entire month now.

I am the Support Services Director of the Pacific Bay Inn Hotel and by offering EatSF at our Hotel, the clients have personally told me how it has greatly impacted them on many levels. The clients report how EatSF ensures them of eating healthy, along with providing them with healthy fruits and vegetables for the month. Our clients consistently come in on a monthly basis to take advantage of the vouchers and they express how it has influenced them make healthier choices by having an allocated amount to spend on fresh or frozen vegetables and fruits. Clients who have never been to their local farmers' market due to uncertainty of how to shop for produce and high prices were able to use their vouchers to buy seasonal produce and continue to go after the program's completion. Unfortunately the program is revamping and not issuing vouchers at this time, but our clients are coming by asking when is it going to start up again. I really appreciate the remarkable services EatSF staff has offered and congratulate them for the great impact it's had on our clients here at the Pacific Bay Inn. Thank you all so much!

I am the Health and Wellness ambassador for the Hunterview family center where I have helped many of our community members sign up for the Eat SF program. Since this program has started it has increased the consumption of healthy foods but also helping these family’s to have enuff food to last throughout the month. Listening to clients talk about how much there children and there hole family in general eats more fruits and veggies thanks to the Eat SF program is an amazing thing. and I hope that this service will continue to be available because these family’s really benefit from it.

The residents in my building complain about one problem with EatSF-they want more of it!

EatSF has filled a gap for our residents. Many of our residents don't qualify for food stamps, but are on small, fixed budgets. Our residents rave about how great it is to be able to choose the fruit or veg they want.

Residents have also connected to how EatSF is helping the neighborhood economy because they create new dollars being spent in locally owned stores.

I serve a non-profit organization dedicated to housing many people with physical and/or mental disabilities who are also living way below the federal poverty line. This program has been life changing for many of my residents in the Tenderloin. Known as a food desert, tenants living in the Tenderloin district do not have much choice when it comes to what type of food they have access to. Many of them have health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or other diagnosis which require them eat healthier, and often times more expensive, foods. They are, too often, faced with the choice of following their doctor's recommendations and buying only one healthy item or buying a whole week's worth of junk food. In this day in age, our residents should have the right to enjoy quality food and not to have to decide between having a meal every day of the week versus being able to afford only one plate of veggies. I can't tell you how many times residents have come up and asked about this program and how now they can control their diabetes better or can enjoy more nutritious meals because they actually have money to spare for a decent bag of groceries. I hope we are able to continue our partnership with EatSF and improve the quality of life for our residents. Their coordinators are great staff that truly listen to the needs of their participants and work with organizations such as ours to provide quality access. Many thanks from Mercy Housing and its occupants.

This has been an absolutely fantastic program for the patients I helped sign up in clinic. It's extremely well run and allows patients to take charge of their own health. It has made my patients more willing to try new fruits and vegetables and helps them form new healthy eating habits. The extra flexibility the vouchers give has been especially impactful to my patients on a tight budget. There are many stores that accept the vouchers and a wide time range is given to use them which is very helpful to people that have difficulty attending pantries that have limited hours. I really hope to see this program continue because it has been a tremendous help to members of the community.

EAT SF is a lifeline for our clients who struggle to eat healthy meals. I work at a non-profit health clinic with low income people who are living with chronic illnesses. These people are SoMa and Tenderloin residents, whose primary source of food can be unhealthy items from the local corner store. For clients who are often disabled or are living with a life altering illness, it can be difficult to travel far (outside of the food deserts) to purchase healthy food from a large grocery store. It can also be expensive to eat nutritional food individuals living on a fixed or low income in one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. EAT SF has helped this issue by increasing accessibility to healthy food for people in our communities. Clients now have money to budget for fruits and vegetables to promote a nutritional diet for many health compromised people. Many corner stores who sell produce in the Tenderloin and SoMa areas (which are near client's apartments and SROs) are participating by accepting these vouchers and making it more accessible and affordable. In addition, clients can go to the Civic Center farmer's market to utilize their vouchers as well. EAT SF has also been very helpful by not only supplying monetary assistance but also educating people about budgeting, nutrition, and meal preparation. We have over 100 people coming in monthly to pick up these vouchers. Our community depends on EAT SF for sustenance. Please look into this resource for your clients if you haven't already!

This program is helping to address barriers to accessing nutritious foods. The patients I have enrolled at the clinic where I work have been so grateful to receive vouchers to buy the fruits and vegetables we recommend they eat to lead healthier lives. For most patients this program makes it easier to eat healthier, and for some it makes it a possibility they couldn't afford before. The educational materials enables participants to learn budgeting tips to make their fruit and veggie habit more affordable and makes it easier to introduce others to a new way of eating. As a health educator, I am happy to be able to offer this program to patients with chronic disease working towards their health goals.

I would like to say that since EatSF program started in 2015 in Tenderloin neighborhood that there's less people going hungry. That their able to afford and eat sustainable fruits and vegetables.
The nonprofit agency that I work for participants use and relay on these vouchers to be able to have something to eat that's nutritious . Being able to eat something that's wholesome gives them a sense well being .
I can see the difference in each individual that receive EatSF vouchers, how important it is for them to be able to buy food that they could not normally afford on their budget. Being mindful that their budget is quiet low . I am grateful and honored that EatSF partners with this nonprofit in the Tenderloin community.